Malta Travel Guide: Things to Do, When to Go and Tips

Start with Valletta, the UNESCO-listed capital built by the Knights, home to St John's Co-Cathedral (with its Caravaggio masterpieces) and the Upper Barrakka Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour. Mdina, the walled "Silent City" and former capital, is all cobbled streets, honey-coloured stone and views from the bastions. Across the harbour, the Three Cities, especially Birgu (Vittoriosa) with Fort St Angelo, offer the atmosphere without the crowds. In the south, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk is famous for its colourful luzzu boats and Sunday fish market. Rabat, next to Mdina, holds St Paul's Catacombs, and the modern twin towns of Sliema and St Julian's are the base for shopping, dining and, for over-18s, the island's nightlife around Paceville.

For sand, Golden Bay and the family-friendly Mellieħa Bay, Malta's largest beach, are the easiest choices, while the Blue Lagoon on Comino is the postcard spot for swimming and snorkelling (see our dedicated Blue Lagoon guide for how to reach it). Beyond the beaches, the Dingli Cliffs are the island's highest point and a superb sunset walk, the Blue Grotto sea caves are best seen by boat from Żurrieq, and Gozo, a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa, rewards a day trip with the Citadel in Victoria, the Wied il-Mielaħ arch and the red sand of Ramla Bay. Nature reserves such as Għadira, near Mellieħa, and the Majjistral park on the northwest coast add quiet green space.

Buses are the backbone of public transport and reach almost everywhere, though they can be busy in peak season and are not always on time. Ferries connect Malta with Gozo and Comino and link Valletta to Sliema and the Three Cities, which is often the quickest and most scenic way to hop across the harbour. Renting a car or scooter opens up quieter spots like the Dingli Cliffs, but remember that Malta drives on the left and parking is tight in the busy towns. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available. For the full picture, see our separate guide to getting around Malta.

Malta is a safe country with low crime, though it is worth watching for pickpockets in the busiest tourist spots. EU visitors travel on a valid ID card or passport and can use a European Health Insurance Card for public healthcare; the emergency number is 112, and Mater Dei is the main hospital. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases. A few things make any trip smoother: pack high-factor sun cream and a hat for the summer sun, book popular attractions like the Hypogeum well ahead, wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and cliffs, and note that drinking alcohol in the street is restricted in areas such as Valletta and St Julian's. EU roaming rules apply, so EU visitors use their phones as at home.

Malta's landscapes have doubled for many films: Fort Ricasoli stood in for ancient Rome in Gladiator and appears in Troy, Game of Thrones filmed its pilot here including a scene at the former Azure Window on Gozo, and Popeye Village in the north was built as the set for the 1980 Popeye musical and is now an attraction in its own right. Our film-locations guide has the full list.

This Malta travel guide covers a compact, English-speaking island that packs in history, beaches and food. Come in spring or autumn for the best balance of weather and crowds, base yourself around Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's, and mix city sightseeing (Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities) with the beaches and the Blue Lagoon, Gozo day trips and Maltese food like pastizzi and fenkata. Getting around is easy by bus and ferry, English is everywhere, and it makes an ideal place to combine a holiday with an English course through SPRACHCAFFE.